On the morning of June 10, 2025, the quiet city of Graz, Austria’s second-largest urban center, was shattered by an unimaginable act of violence. At approximately 10:00 a.m. local time, a lone gunman opened fire at the Bundes-Oberstufenrealgymnasium (BORG) Dreierschützengasse, a respected secondary school in the Lend district. The attack claimed the lives of 10 individuals, including seven students, one teacher, one additional adult, and the shooter himself, marking it as the deadliest school shooting in Austria’s postwar history. With dozens more injured, some critically, the tragedy has plunged the nation into mourning and sparked urgent conversations about gun violence, school safety, and the underlying factors that drive such devastating acts.
A Morning of Chaos and Heroism
The first reports of gunfire came shortly before 10:00 a.m., when screams and shots echoed through the hallways of BORG Dreierschützengasse, a school attended by students aged 14 to 18. Eyewitness accounts describe a scene of panic as students and teachers scrambled to safety, some barricading themselves in classrooms while others fled the building. One mother, speaking to local media, recounted the harrowing moment her son called her, saying he was being shot at and feared for his life. Miraculously, he survived, but the trauma of that call lingers for her and countless others.
The shooter, identified by authorities as a 21-year-old Austrian man from the Graz area, was a former student of the school. Armed with a legally owned pistol and shotgun, he targeted two classrooms, firing 30 to 40 rounds in a matter of minutes. Local media reports suggest the perpetrator had been a victim of bullying during his time at the school, a factor that may have fueled his motives, though police are still investigating the full circumstances. After the rampage, the gunman retreated to a school bathroom, where he took his own life.
Austrian police responded swiftly, with regular units and the elite Cobra tactical force arriving within minutes of the initial emergency call. A police helicopter circled overhead, and ambulances flooded the scene as emergency services worked to evacuate the school and treat the wounded. By 11:30 a.m., authorities declared the situation secure, with students and staff safely relocated to a nearby stadium for reunification with their families. The Austrian Red Cross activated its mass casualty protocol, deploying 158 paramedics and 31 crisis intervention staff to support the overwhelmed hospitals in Styria, where Graz is the capital.
The Human Toll
The attack left a devastating toll: nine victims—six females and three males—lost their lives, alongside the perpetrator. Among the deceased were seven students, their futures tragically cut short, and a teacher who had dedicated their life to guiding young minds. At least 12 others were injured, with seven in critical condition, including five teenagers and two adults undergoing emergency surgery at Graz University Hospital. Local reports estimate that up to 30 people sustained injuries, ranging from gunshot wounds to trauma-related conditions.
The identities of the victims have not been publicly released, as authorities prioritize notifying families and respecting their privacy. However, the loss of young lives and a beloved educator has struck a deep chord across Austria. Chancellor Christian Stocker, addressing the nation in a press conference, called the shooting “a national tragedy that has shaken our entire country.” He announced a three-day period of national mourning and a nationwide minute of silence to be observed on June 11 at 10:00 a.m. to honor the victims.
A Nation in Shock
Graz, a vibrant university town of approximately 300,000 residents, is unaccustomed to such violence. Known for its historic charm and cultural richness, the city has now been scarred by an event that echoes a painful moment from its past—a 2015 attack in which a man drove into a crowd, killing three and injuring dozens. The proximity of the school shooting to the 10th anniversary of that tragedy has only deepened the city’s collective grief.
Austrian leaders have expressed profound sorrow and solidarity. President Alexander Van der Bellen described the attack as a “horror that cannot be captured in words,” emphasizing the loss of “young people who had their whole lives ahead of them.” Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger, a mother of three, shared her heartbreak on social media, calling the suffering “incomprehensible and unbearable.” Internationally, European leaders, including Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, offered condolences, with von der Leyen noting that “schools are symbols of youth, hope, and the future” and should never become “places of death and violence.”
The Broader Context: Guns and Safety in Austria
The shooting has reignited debates about gun ownership in Austria, a country with one of the highest rates of civilian firearm possession in Europe. According to the Small Arms Survey, Austria has an estimated 30 firearms per 100 people. While automatic weapons and pump-action guns are banned, revolvers, pistols, and semi-automatic weapons are permitted with official authorization, and rifles and shotguns are accessible with a firearms license or hunting permit. Despite this, mass shootings are rare, with notable incidents including a 2020 jihadist attack in Vienna that killed four and a 1997 shooting in Mauterndorf that claimed six lives.
The fact that the Graz shooter legally owned his weapons has prompted questions about the adequacy of Austria’s gun laws and mental health screenings for permit applicants. Experts like Julia Ebner, an extremism researcher at the Institute for Strategic Dialogue, have called the incident a wake-up call, noting its rarity in Austria compared to countries like the United States. Lee Doddridge, a security expert, highlighted the increasing frequency of such attacks in Europe, citing 76 shootings since 2000. He advocated for enhanced training, such as dynamic lockdowns and “run, hide, tell” protocols, but warned that attackers are adapting to these measures, necessitating broader preventive strategies.
Moving Forward: Healing and Action
As Graz and Austria grapple with the aftermath, the focus is shifting to supporting the survivors and the community. Crisis intervention teams are providing counseling to students, teachers, and families, while the city has opened care centers to address the psychological toll. Mayor Elke Kahr, visibly shaken, described the shooting as a “terrible tragedy” that will require time to process, urging residents to come together in compassion and resilience.
The tragedy has also sparked calls for action. Some advocates are pushing for stricter gun control measures, while others emphasize the need for improved mental health resources and anti-bullying programs in schools. The reported bullying experienced by the shooter underscores the importance of addressing social dynamics that can lead to isolation and resentment, though authorities caution against oversimplifying the motives behind such complex acts.
For now, Austria stands united in grief, with vigils planned across the country to honor the victims. The BORG Dreierschützengasse school, once a place of learning and laughter, now bears the weight of an unspeakable loss. As the nation mourns, the hope is that this tragedy will catalyze meaningful change, ensuring that schools remain sanctuaries of safety and hope for future generations.
Last Updated on: Tuesday, July 1, 2025 10:33 pm by Aagya Agarwal | Published by: Aagya Agarwal on Tuesday, June 10, 2025 8:07 pm | News Categories: Business Saga News
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